For the past 12 years, local media representatives have been recognized on the BC campus during the school’s annual Media Day for their efforts in “informing and educating the public-at-large,” while “sharing the Bluefield College story” and “spreading the word about BC news, events, and achievements.”
In fact, in 2005, thanks to a grant from media entrepreneur Michael Shott, the college heightened its recognition of the local media by incorporating the Shott Excellence-in-Media Awards Program into the Media Day schedule.
“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Mr. Shott for providing the funds to underwrite the college’s Media Day and the Shott Excellence-in-Media Awards Program,” said Chris Shoemaker, BC’s director of public relations. “We hope that through this program, the college will not only increase its recognition of outstanding local journalists but also contribute to the preservation of the media legacy of the Shott family.”
During the awards portion of the Media Day program, the college will present two Shott Excellence-in-Media Awards — a $1,000 Student Scholarship Award to an outstanding current Bluefield College communications student and a $1,000 Excellence-in-Media Award to a local member of the media who demonstrates excellence in his or her vocation and who, through his or her work in journalism, makes a significant contribution toward the local community.
“Bluefield College is not the only beneficiary of the service of our local journalists,” said Shoemaker. “Many other schools, churches, civic organizations, government agencies, businesses, and individuals within our community are better off, thanks to the work of the area media. That’s why we dedicate this day to recognize the local media for informing, educating, entertaining, and, above all, bettering the public-at-large.”
The BC Media Day program also will include a keynote address from Wood, an internationally renowned speaker and trainer in the areas of cutting-edge mental skills and toughness training. As the founder and president of the performance improvement company Icebox Athlete, he has traveled the globe helping players, coaches, and leaders develop the confidence, focus, poise, and skills necessary to enhance performance and achieve their greatest potential. In fact, his work has impacted several championship teams and players in the NCAA and NBA.
“He’s definitely the best at getting people to understand what it is that they need to do to approach the game and how to respond to any type of adversity,” said Virginia Commonwealth University head coach Shaka Smart, who used Wood to help his team make an NCAA Final Four run in 2011.
A graduate of Bluefield College, Wood has spoken twice at the Nike Football Coach of the Year Awards program, three times at the National Soccer Coaches Association’s National Conference, four times at the Women’s NCAA Final Four, and once at the Men’s NCAA Final Four.
He joins NASCAR Magazine editor David Bourne, nationally syndicated columnist Jim Davidson, war hero, and undercover government agent Maxey Gilleland, local news writer and sports radio personality Jim Nelson, veteran Bluefield Daily Telegraph journalist Bill Archer, Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot Phillip Brashear, mass communications professor and TV anchor Dr. Teresa Keller, political lobbyist Dr. David Bailey, former White House correspondent Bob Deans, retired executive editor of the Associated Baptist Press Greg Warner, inspirational athlete, and author Kyle Maynard, and Compassion International feature writer Brandy Campbell as speakers for Bluefield College’s Media Appreciation Day.
The annual event will begin at 11:30 a.m. on April 19 in Shott Hall and will feature a luncheon, the awards ceremony, remarks from Wood, and a roundtable discussion between local media representatives and BC communication students.